Review: Dirty Honey – Can’t Find The Brakes

Dirt Records (November 3^rd 2023)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

Dirty Honey have been kicking up a storm. Two consecutive sold out 2023 headline tours of the U.K. and Europe. Touted as one of the newer rock brigade who could step into the breach of the big hitters when they retire.

This second album, recorded in Australia, sees the Honey retaining their signature sound and energy that has carried them so far, so well.

The star of the show is undoubtedly vocalist Marc LaBelle. He soars and swoops like an eagle with amyl nitrate up its nose, yet never over singing. That’s not say the rest of the band are shoddy. Guitarist John Notto has that easy style about him and you know what they say – if it appears easy, it usually isn’t! Bassist Justin Smolian and new drummer Jayden Bean do exactly what they should do and anchor it all down allowing the colour to be added on top.

On more than one occasion they have the Aerosmith’s about them, but not to the point of parody. The way the guitar riffs and the vocal melody lines inter weave is a sign of the band’s undoubted progression from the debut opus.

Chorus’s and hook lines are ago go here. ‘Don’t Put Out The Fire‘ and immediately sets the quality control for what’s on offer. It has a bump and grind an Amsterdam hooker would kill for. ‘Won’t Take Me Alive‘ continues in that upbeat tone, all funk and groove orientated.

What is surprising is the quality of the slower songs on offer. ‘Dirty Mind‘ is the first of those. But don’t equate slower with weak. Justin is all over this track.

‘Roam‘ is another slow burn and one of my favourites. It’s been given air to breathe and is atmospheric for it. The chorus gives Marc the chance to show his vocal dexterity.

‘Get A Little High‘ ups the ante. ‘’It’s all right now‘’ is the backing vocal refrain and yes it is.

The oddly named ‘Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire)‘ is anything but. Acoustic driven it has a folky feel but is beautifully delivered.

The title track is riff heavy with a delicious vocal melody line in the verse. I like it when they let their hand brake off, but DH are getting adept at being able to deliver across the board.

Especially when it comes to space in the song arrangements. Satisfied is a shining example of that.

‘Ride On‘ is probably the only song that is close to filler.

‘You Make It All Right‘ is a lament. Marc sings about faking his way through life and how a little something can make it right. You can almost hear Danny Bowes delivering this.

And there you have it.

Another step toward Stadium headliners?

Quite possibly and I still think there’s more to come from DH.

Tracklist:

01 – Don’t Put Out The Fire

02 – Won’t Take Me Alive

03 – Dirty Mind

05 – Get A Little High

04 – Roam

06 – Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire)

07 – Can’t Find the Brakes

08 – Satisfied

09 – Ride On

10 – You Make It All Right